not sure why but last couple of weeks once in a while when i start my truck the belts squeals and amp gauge is way low first time it happened i turned it off right not really sure why it was squealing checked under the hood all looked ok resarted and was fine, now i've noticed that the amp gauge is low when it happens i shut it off and restart and all is fine. why is my hemi ram doing this, ive never messed with the alternator or battery and why only once in a while. any help thanks.

 

yea the belt is sqeeking becasue you alternater is having to work to get you voltage up(not sure why ur volts are low something seems to be draining them check that out deff) and that belt could be old, could be cold cuz its winter and just not very plyable, or it jsut feels like sqeeking.then again belts just like to sqeek

 

sometimes in the morning, if it is damp out side or raindin, my belt squeeks, but thats just because of the wetness on it, but as for your amps i have no idea

 

What year is your truck? How many miles? I'm wondering about the belt tensioner or an idler pulley. A squeaking belt isn't tight enough. Since there is no manual adjustment, I'd guess the tensioner needs to be replaced, along with the belt.

 

I think I'd start with a Goodyear Gatorback serpentine. I suspect that your belt is worn/stretched and the tensioner is at its limit, or close to it. I also would guess that the squeal you hear is the slippage on the alternator pully at start-up----the heaviest amp draw period from the Battery.

 

tensioner and belt replacement

 

yea, check the belt tensioner. You'll see scribes on the tensioner body, the part bolted to the engine, that are marked "I" and "II". On the part of the tensioner with the pulley you'll see an arrow stamped into it. If the arrow is maxed to the I or II then you are at max travel and either the belt is worn or the pulley spring is shot.

 

or just rub it with some bar soap on the belt. that always does the trick.

 

thanks guys for all your advice, had a bad day yesterday belt wouldnt stop squealing every time i turn the heater on and the daytime driving lights are on its loading up the alt. so much that the belt stops. the guys (counter sales)at bill suburban alternator and starter checked it out and thought the same thing up until the old man in the shop that rebuilds them came out and looked at it, he pulled my belt and gave the pulley a spin and nasty growl yelled out and by the looks of the engine compartment turns and says been off-road lately? due to water,mud and snow some of witch must have made there way into the alt. bearings 70 bucks and two hours on monday it will be repaired. thanks again for all your thoughts.

 

Glad to hear you figured it out!!!!

Cheap repair too, Good thing you caught before the alt fried. That sort of thing can wreak havock with your electrical system, and ECM.

MAKE SURE THE GUY REPAIRING IT GIVES IT A GOOD CLEANING INSIDE TOO, MIGHT HELP SAVE THE WINDINGS.